Self-supporting nesting cart

ABSTRACT

A four wheel cart with a narrow horizontally extending frame connecting the running gear and serving as a support for split shelves hinged to the end frame. A vertical spacer is disposed between the running gear and the horizontal frame to permit nesting of two or more carts when the shelves are in an upright position.

United States Patent [1 1 Isaacs Jan. 1, 1974 SELF-SUPPORTING NESTINGCART [76] Inventor: Harold Isaacs, 2583 Fenwick Rd.,

University Heights, Ohio 441 18 [22] Filed: Dec. 30, 1971 [21] Appl.No.: 214,263

[52] US. Cl. 280/3339 H, 280/793 [51] B60r 27/00 [58] Field of Search280/3399 T, 33.99 S, 280/3399 H, 33.99 F, 33.99 A, 33.99 R, 47.34,47.35, 79.1, 79.2, 79.3

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,027,174 3/1962 Garbarino280/3399 H 3,240,505 3/1966 Schlernitzauer 280/793 X 2,992,010 7/1961Sides 280/3399 S 3,462,166 8/1969 Fuhrmann 280/3399 S 3,522,954 8/1970Locke 280/3399 T FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS 850,841 9/1952 Germany280/793 710,420 9/1941 Germany 280/793 Primary Examiner-Kenneth H. BettsAssistant ExaminerMilt0n L. Smith Attorney-Edward E. Sachs [57] ABSTRACTA four wheel cart with a narrow horizontally extending frame connectingthe running gear and serving as a support for split shelves hinged tothe end frame. A vertical spacer is disposed between the running gearand the horizontal frame to permit nesting of two or more carts when theshelves are in an upright position.

42 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PATENIEDJM' 1 m4 SHEET 10F 3 w. w 2 4 u 27!! This invention relates generally to a movable cart adapted to beemployed in warehouses and particularly in the food distributionindustry and, more particularly, to a self-supporting cart which can benested into a cart of identical configuration for the purpose of savingfloor space.

The term nesting as used herein denotes that the cart has the capabilityof being compactly fit into or within another cart of the same type. Theterm self supporting" further defines the class of carts underconsideration and is intended to describe carts whose base structure issuch that it does not require any internal modification or externalsupport for the cart to be free standing, with or without a load.

In the general prior art to which this invention pertains, it is alreadyknown to utilize carts in the food distribution industry which arefoldable, or collapsible in some manner, to save floor space either whenthese carts are stored in the warehouse or are transported empty on atruck. conventionally, these carts have a total running gear of fourwheels. ln order to obtain such space saving, carts have been suggestedin which the end frames are folded so that the cart can be verticallystacked. In other designs, the end frames are hinged in such a mannerthat they can be folded sideways either together with the running gearor in which the running gear is folded in a separate step. The foldedcarts of the latter category, while quite compact, are generally unableto stand unsupported due to the displacement of the running gear.

The folding of the main frame members as well as the displacement of therunning gear presents innumerable problems. lt has already beenmentioned that such carts are unstable and do not have the ability to beself-. supporting and thus must be leaned against a support or someother abutment. Inasmuch as the running gear has been displaced, thefolded carts of the latter type, cannot be moved about such running gearas one pair of wheels is conventionally displaced 90 relative to theother pair. in order to obviate such shortcomings, it has become thepractice to fold such carts only partially. However, it will beappreciated that such half-folded carts do at least partly surrender theadvantages that are desired.

It is therefore the primary object of this invention to provide a cartwhich can be stored with like carts in a compacted manner without theneed for folding any of the main frame members and without folding orotherwise affecting the running gear.

It is therefore another primary object of the present invention toprovide a cart which is constructed in such a manner so as to be able tonest with like carts for space-saving purposes.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cart of thetype described above in which the nesting is accomplished withoutchanging the position of the wheels relative to the main frame members.

lt is another object of the invention to provide a cart which isstructurally as stable and as self-supporting during a nested conditionas in its un-nested condition.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a cart in whichthe nesting step can be accomplished in a very simple manner and incomparative safety.

It is a still further object of the present invention to provide anesting cart in which none of the main frame members is hinged in anymanner. This is of particular importance inasmuch as the prior art cartsrequire numerous hinging points and more often than not, when one of thehinging points becomes inoperative, the whole folding operation of thecart becomes impossible. i

It is still another object of the presentinvention to provide a nestingcart which utilizes one or. I more hinged shelves, with the shelvesbeing the only members that have to be moved for nesting.

These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished byproviding a self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart whichcomprises a front as well as a longitudinally spaced rear wheel runninggear and a support for each of such running gear. A structural networkis mounted in vertically spaced relation to the top main surface of thesupport. The network includes two vertically extending and horizontallyspaced end frame means and a rigidly horizontally extending connectionbridging both of the supports for the running gear. The bridgingconnection has a transverse width which is not appreciably greater thanthe width required for the bridging connection to function as astructural support for the above mentioned network. A spacer isvertically interposed between the main surface of each support means andthe bridging connection.

Another aspect of the present invention resides in the provision of acart of the type described in the-preceding paragraph in which a shelfis hingedly secured to one end frame means and is adapted to bear in anupright position against the end frame means and in a horizontalposition against the above mentioned bridging connection.

A still further aspect of the present invention resides in the cart asabove described in which there is provided a second bridging connectionextending parallel to but vertically spaced from the first mentionedbridging connection, with the vertical location being located eitherintermediate between the vertical ends of the end frame means or at orabove the extreme upper end thereof.

.A further aspect of the present invention resides in providing anesting cart of the type described above, in which each end frame meansincludes a centrally located main frame post and two corner postsconnected to the frame post by rungs, with the corner posts havingvertically extending discontinuities.

For a better understanding of the present invention, together with otherand'further objects thereof, reference is had to the followingdescription taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, and itsscope will be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a nesting cart in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a side view of the nesting cart with the shelves shown in anupright position;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the nesting cart similar to FIG. 1showing two of the split shelves in an upright position;

FIG. 4 is an end view of the cart shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 with the shelvesin a horizontal position;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary end view, similar to FlG. 4, showing the bottomportion thereof partly in section;

FIG. 5a is a fragmentary perspective view similar to FIG. 3, showing anenlarged portion of the hinging mechanism between a corner post and ashelf;

FIG. 6 is a perspective end view of two nesting carts of the type shownin FIG. 1, in nesting position;

FIG. 7 is a diagrammatic plan view showing three nesting carts innesting position;

FIG. 8 is an end view of a modified cart; and

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of still another modified cart inaccordance with the present invention.

Referring now to the drawings and, more specifically, to FIGS. 1 to 5,there is shown a cart 10, having a conventional running gear 12,16, withthe forward running gear 12 comprising a pair of swivel mounted wheels13 secured to a transversely expanding support channel 14. The gearrunning gear 16 comprises two fixed wheels 17 connected by a suitableaxle 18 with a transversely extending support 20, secured to the axle.The top surface 20a of support 20 being co-planar to the top surface 14aof the front or forward support 14 for the running gear 12.

A structural network which constitutes the main frame of the cart ismounted in vertically spaced relationship to the top main surfaces 14aand 20a of each of the running gears.

In the preferred embodiment, the structural network comprises twovertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame arrangements anda rigid horizontally extending connection bridging the support surfaces14a and 20a in vertically spaced relation as hereinafter furtherdescribed.

The bridging connection is constituted by a relatively narrowhorizontally arranged main frame member 22 which has a transverse widthwhich is not appreciably greater than that required to function as thestructural support for the aforementioned network. Normally, thetransverse width will be held to an absolute minimum dimension in orderto obtain the optimum benefit of the present invention. Therefore, thetransverse width of the frame member 22 should be a fraction of thelength (parallel to axle 18) of the support surfaces 14a, 20a or,conversely, the length of the running gear along its axis should be amultiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of thisbridging connection. The horizontal main frame member 22 whichconstitutes the bridging connection is arranged with its longitudinalaxis substantially perpendicular to the axis of each of the running gearand proximate to the intermediate center of the latter so that thetransverse distance between one side of the bridging connection and thenext adjacent wheel is at least equal to the transverse dimension of thebridging connection.

These geometric relationships between the running gear and thehorizontal main frame member 22 of the bridging connection are bestunderstood when reference is made to FIG. 7 wherein there are shownseveral nesting carts with their main frame members 22 in abuttingrelationship, with at least two main frame members 22 fitting between apair of wheels of one running gear.

The horizontally spaced end frame of the structural network includes acentrally located main frame post 24 which at its bottom is placed injuxtaposition to the horizontal main frame member 22 and from thatlocation extends vertically upward. The connection between the mainhorizontal frame member 22 and the main end frame member 24 can beobtained by simply welding these two members together.

The two end frames can be provided, in addition to the main frame member24, with vertically extending corner posts 26 which are connected to thecentral end frame members 24 by means of a plurality of horizontallyextending rungs 28. Each of the corner posts 26 has a discontinuity orgap 30 between its ends, for purposes which will hereafter become moreapparent.

A second bridging connection in the form of a horizontally extendingframe member 32 is provided which extends parallel to but verticallyspaced from the bridging connection 22. In the preferred embodiment, thesecond bridging connection 32 is located intermediate to the verticalends of each of the two end frames 24,26 and is located vertically insubstantial alignment with the gap or discontinuity 30, of each cornerpost. The vertical dimension of the gap 30 is greater than the depth ofthe bridging connection 32 and is located to bridge the verticaldimension of the main frame member 32. The main frame member 32structurally connects the main frame posts 24.

To each end frame, either to the corner posts 26 as shown in FIG. 3 orto the main frame 24 as shown in FIG. 9, there is hingedly secured twovertically spaced pairs of shelves 34 each by means of a hingingmechanism 36 inter-connecting each shelf 34 to, for example, two cornerposts 26 of an end frame, see FIG. 5a. Each pair of shelves forms in ahorizontal position a single substantially continuous surface, with eachindividual shelf being adapted to bear in an upright position against anend frame post while in the aforementioned horizontal position theelevated shelves bear against the horizontally extending frame member32, while the lower shelf members bear against the horizontallyextending frame member 22.

In order to obtain maximum cubic space within the cart, the bottom ofeach shelf is provided with a recess 37 along its longitudinal dimensionand when the shelf is in the horizontal position it is telescoped overpart of the main frame members 22, 32, see FIGS. 3 and 5.

In order to permit nesting of the cart with other carts, it is essentialthat the upper shelves are arranged on the corner posts in such a mannerthat the bottom surface of each shelf is above the discontinuity 30, soas not to interfere with the gap. Each of the four shelves is retained,in the upright position, by means of a latch 38 shown in FIG. 3. Asuitable opening 40 is provided in each shelf to receive and retain thelatch 38 which is pivotably secured to the main vertical frame 24. Theabove described preferred embodiment discloses split shelves which canbe readily moved from a horizontal to an upright position or vice versa.

Finally, in order to facilitate the nesting of like carts, it isessential that the structural network and those members secured to thenetwork, be vertically spaced relative to the support surfaces 14a and20a of the running gear. In order to facilitate such spacing there isinterposed a spacer which is preferably of a horizontal dimensionencompassing only the contact area or the area of juxtaposition of thehorizontal main frame member 22 and the support surfaces 14a and 20a.The spacer 40, see FIG. 5, must be of a dimension to permit the runninggear, including the support surfaces thereof, of a second nesting cartto be rolled under the horizontal main frame member 22. Ordinarily, thediameter of the wheels 12 or 16 will not exceed the vertical height ofthe top surfaces 140 or a. However, if and when such diameter doesexceed the height of these support surfaces, it is essential that thespacer 40 be vertically dimensioned to permit such running gear to moveunderneath the horizontally extending main frame member 22. It will beappreciated by those skilled in the art that without such spacer 40 thepresent invention becomes inoperative and its usefulness is then simplythat of conventional carts.

In order to nest two or more carts, it is first necessary to move theshelves 34 to an upright position, as shown in FIG. 2. Thereafter, thecarts can be moved into nesting position by rolling the running gear ofone first cart under the horizontal main frame member 22 of the secondcart while, more or less simultaneously, the horizontal main framemember 32 of the first cart passes through the gaps 30, until thehorizontal main frame members 22 and 32 of each of the two carts are ina parallel and abutting position, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. It willtherefore be appreciated that the bottom elevation of the upper shelves34 must be above the gaps 30 in the corner posts. Similarly, the bottomend of the corner posts 26 may not extend below the top surface of themain frame member 22 as, otherwise, an interference is established whichobstructs the movement of the main frame member 22 towards the abovenoted abutting relationship.

The nesting of the carts. may be accomplished with a variety of nestingpatterns, only one of which is shown in FIG. 7.

The present invention, and particularly the structural network, may beadapted to various modifications. In FIG. 8 there is shown a cart inwhich the running gear and the horizontally extending main frame memberare constructed and arranged substantially as above described. However,each of the two spaced end frames is composed of two continuous cornerposts 50 with such corner posts being connected by means of transverselyextending rungs 52 and at the extreme top and bottom by means ofstructural members 54. Each end frame composed of members 50, 52 and 54is vertically spaced relative to the running gear supports 14 and 20 bymeans of a short section of a vertically extending main frame post 56.In order to enhance the structural rigidity of the two end frames, abridging connection is provided above the upper structural member 54 inthe form of a horizontally extending frame member 58. The lower bridgingconnection is constructed and arranged in the same manner as describedabove with regard to member 22. A shelf 60 is hingedly secured to eitherthe short frame section 56 and/or to the corner posts 50 by means of amechanism 36, as shown in FIG. 5a. The shelf 60 differs from the shelvesdescribed above in that the shelf 60 encompasses the entire longitudinallength between the two end frames (only one of which is shown). Fornesting purposes, it is, of course, necessary that the shelf 60 beplaced in an upright position and in order to accomplish such movementthe upper bridging connection 58 must be located out of the path of suchmovement. With this modification, a second shelf may be arranged (notshown) at a higher elevation. Such shelf is secured in the same manneras shelf 60 except that provision has to be made for the shelf to bemoved from the horizontal position to a downward position. At theunhinged end of the upper shelf, the shelf is supported by means ofmovable brackets, not shown.

In the modification shown in FIG. 9, shelves 34 are hinged to the mainframe post 24 in order to obviate the need for rungs and corner posts.The need for rungs and comer posts depends upon the type of merchandiseto be used. In order to enhance the structural rigidity of this modifiedembodiment, there is provided a third bridging connection in the form ofa horizontally extending main frame member 62 connecting to and betweenthe main posts 24.

It is obvious that various combinations of the essentially threeembodiments may be achieved and still fall within the spirit of theinvention.

Therefore, while there have been described what are at presentconsidered to be the preferred embodiments of this invention, it will beobvious to those skilled in the art that various changes andmodifications may be made therein without departing from the invention,and it is aimed, therefore, in the appended claims to cover all suchchanges and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope ofthe invention.

What is claimed is:

l. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising:

a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, andrigid support means for each thereof;

a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the topmain surface of each said support means, said network comprising twovertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigidhorizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means,said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciablygreater than that required to function as a structural support for saidnetwork;

a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface ofeach said support means and said bridging connection;

the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis being amultiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of saidbridging connection; each support means projecting laterally of bothsides of the bridging connection whereby when one cart is nested withanother cart, the bridging connection of one cart will overlay and bespaced from o'nsu ort means o'f'th'e misread with said su port meansbeing positioned between both support means of the other cart; shelfhingedly arranged on each of the two end frame means and adapted to bearin an upright position against the end frame means and in a horizontalposition against said first mentioned bridging connection to establishtwo shelves in a horizontal position having a substantially continuousplane.

2. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim I, wherein saidbridging connection is arranged with its longitudinal axis substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of each said running gear and proximate to thecenter of the latter.

3. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 2, wherein thetransverse distance between said bridging connection and one wheel ofone running gear is at least equal to the transverse dimension of saidbridging connection.

4. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein thebottom of each shelf is recessed along its longitudinal dimension and insaid horizontal posi tion is telescoped over part of said bridgingconnection.

5. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, and a secondbridging connection extending parallel to but vertically spaced from thefirst mentioned bridging connection.

6. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 5, wherein saidsecond bridging connection is located at substantially the extreme upperend of or above each end frame means.

7. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 5, wherein saidsecond bridging connection is located intermediate to the vertical endsof each of the frame means.

8. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 5, including a pairof shelves hingedly secured to each of said two end frame means andadapted to bear in an upright position against the common end framemeans and in a horizontal position one of each said pair of shelvesbearing against said first mentioned bridging connection and the' otherof each said pair of shelves bearing against said second bridgingconnection, to establish two vertically spaced substantially continuousshelves.

9. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 8, wherein thebottom of each shelf is recessed along its longitudinal dimension and insaid horizontal position is telescoped over part of said bridgingconnection.

10. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein eachend frame means consists of a single centrally located frame postconnected to said connection.

11. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 10, wherein thebottom of each main frame post terminates above the main surface of saidsupport means.

12. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein eachend frame means comprises vertically extending corner posts andstructural means interconnecting the corner posts.

13. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 12, wherein saidstructural means includes a centrally located vertically extending mainframe post and horizontally extending rungs, and wherein each cornerpost has a common vertically extending discontinuity.

14. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 13, and a secondbridging connection extending parallel to but vertically spaced from thefirst mentioned connection.

15. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 14, wherein saiddiscontinuity is located in alignment to the heights of said secondbridging connection and 1 the vertical dimension of said discontinuityexceeds the corresponding dimension of said second bridging connection.

16. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 14, including apair of shelves hingedly secured to each of said two end frame means andadapted to bear in an upright position against the common end framemeans and in a horizontal position one of each said pair of shelvesbearing against said first mentioned bridging connection and the otherof each said pair of shelves bearing against said second bridgingconnection, to establish two vertically spaced substantially continuousshelves and wherein the shelves adapted for bearing against said secondbridging connection are arranged in said upright position with theirbottom ends above said discontinuity.

17. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 12, wherein thebottom of each corner post terminates above the main surface of saidsupport means.

18. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, and latch meanson said frame means for maintaining said shelves in an upright position.

19. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 1, wherein the top of the support means for the front and the rearrunning gear are of substantially the same elevation.

20. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 19, wherein the length of the support means of the front and therear running gear are substantially the same.

21. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 1, wherein the length of the support means of the front and therear running gear are substantially the same.

22. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 1, wherein the rotational axis of the hinging pivot is transverseto the length of the cart.

23. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising:

a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, andsupport means for each thereof;

a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the topmain surface of each said support means, said network comprising twovertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigidhorizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means,said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciablygreater than that required to function as a structural support for saidnetwork;

the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis having amultiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of saidbridging connection;

a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface ofeach said support means and said bridging connection; each support meansprojecting laterally of both sides of the bridging connection wherebywhen one cart is nested with another cart, the bridging connection ofone cart will overlay and be spaced from one support means of the othercart with said support means being positioned between both support meansof the other cart;

and a sheif hingedly secured to one end frame means and adapted to bearin an upright position against the end frame means and in a horizontalposition against said first mentioned bridging connection, the bottom ofthe shelf being recessed along its longitudinal dimension and in saidhorizontal position being telescoped over part of said bridgingconnection.

24. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising:

a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, andsupport means for each thereof;

a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the topmain surface of each said support means, said network comprising twovertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigidhorizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means,said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciablygreater than that required to function as a structural support for saidnetwork;

the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis having amultiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of saidbridging connection;

a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface ofeach said support means and said bridging connection; each support meansprojecting laterally of both sides of the bridging connection wherebywhen one cart is nested with another cart, the bridging connection ofone cart will overlay and be spaced from one support menas of v theother cart with said support means being positioned between both supportmeans of the other cart;

each end frame means comprising vertically extending corner posts eachhaving a common vertical discontinuity, a centrally located verticallyextending main frame post and horizontally extending rungs connectingsaid corner posts and main frame post at each said end.

25. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, and a shelfhingedly secured to one end frame means and adapted to bear in anupright position against the end frame means and in a horizontalposition against said first mentioned bridging connection.

26. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 25, wherein ashelf is hingedly arranged on each of the two end frame means.

27. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 26, wherein thetwo shelves in their horizontal position form a substantially continuousplane.

28. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 25, wherein thebottom of each shelf is recessed along its-longitudinal dimension and insaid horizontal position is telescoped over part of said bridgingconnection.

29. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, wherein saidbridging connection is arranged with its longitudinal axis substantiallyperpendicular to the axis of each said running gear and proximate to thecenter of the latter.

30. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 29, wherein thetransverse distance between said bridging connection and one wheel ofsaid running gear is at least equal to the transverse dimension of saidbridging connection.

31. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, and a secondbridging connection extending parallel to but vertically spaced from thefirst mentioned bridging connection.

32. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, wherein saidsecond bridging connection is located at substantially the extreme upperend of or above each end frame means.

33. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, wherein saidsecond bridging connection is located intermediate to the vertical endsof each of the frame means.

34. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, and a pair ofshelves hingedly secured to each of said two frame means and adapted tobear in an upright position against the common end frame means and in ahorizontal position one of each said pair of shelves bearing againstsaid first mentioned bridging connection and the other of each said pairof shelves bearing against said second bridging connection, to establishtwo vertically spaced substantially continuous shelves.

35. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 34, and latchmeans on said frame means for maintaining said shelves in an uprightposition.

36. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, wherein saiddiscontinuity is located substantially in alignment to the heights ofsaid second bridging connection and the vertical dimension of saiddiscontinuity exceeds the corresponding dimension of said secondbridging connection.

37. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, and a shelfhingedly secured to said corner posts and adapted to bear in an uprightposition against said corner posts and in a horizontal position againstsaid first bridging connection.

38. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 24, wherein the top of the support means for the front and therear running gear are of substantially the same elevation.

39. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 38, wherein the length of the support means of the front and therear running gear are substantially the same.

40. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 24, wherein the length of the support means of the front and therear running gear are substantially the same.

41. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according toclaim 24, wherein the rotational axis of the hinging pivot is transverseto the length of the cart.

42. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising:

a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, andrigid support means for each thereof, the top of said support means forthe front and the rear of said running gear being of substantially thesame length and elevation;

a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the topmain surface of each said support means, said network comprising twovertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigidhorizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means,said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciablygreater than that required to function as a structural support for saidnetwork;

a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface ofeach said support means and said bridging connection;

the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis being amultiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of saidbridging connection; each support means projecting laterally of bothsides of the bridging connection whereby when one cart is nested withanother cart, the bridging connection of one cart will overlay and bespaced from one support means of the other cart with said support meansbeing positioned between both support means of the other cart;

a shelf hingedly secured to one end frame means and adapted to bear in.an upright position against the end frame means and in a horizontalposition against said bridging connection.

* l t 1B

1. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising: a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, and rigid support means for each thereof; a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the top main surface of each said support means, said network comprising two vertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigid horizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means, said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciably greater than that required to function as a structural support for said network; a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface of each said support means and said bridging connection; the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis being a multiple dimension of the correspondinG transverse width of said bridging connection; each support means projecting laterally of both sides of the bridging connection whereby when one cart is nested with another cart, the bridging connection of one cart will overlay and be spaced from one support means of the other cart with said support means being positioned between both support means of the other cart; a shelf hingedly arranged on each of the two end frame means and adapted to bear in an upright position against the end frame means and in a horizontal position against said first mentioned bridging connection to establish two shelves in a horizontal position having a substantially continuous plane.
 2. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein said bridging connection is arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of each said running gear and proximate to the center of the latter.
 3. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 2, wherein the transverse distance between said bridging connection and one wheel of one running gear is at least equal to the transverse dimension of said bridging connection.
 4. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein the bottom of each shelf is recessed along its longitudinal dimension and in said horizontal position is telescoped over part of said bridging connection.
 5. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, and a second bridging connection extending parallel to but vertically spaced from the first mentioned bridging connection.
 6. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 5, wherein said second bridging connection is located at substantially the extreme upper end of or above each end frame means.
 7. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 5, wherein said second bridging connection is located intermediate to the vertical ends of each of the frame means.
 8. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 5, including a pair of shelves hingedly secured to each of said two end frame means and adapted to bear in an upright position against the common end frame means and in a horizontal position one of each said pair of shelves bearing against said first mentioned bridging connection and the other of each said pair of shelves bearing against said second bridging connection, to establish two vertically spaced substantially continuous shelves.
 9. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 8, wherein the bottom of each shelf is recessed along its longitudinal dimension and in said horizontal position is telescoped over part of said bridging connection.
 10. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein each end frame means consists of a single centrally located frame post connected to said connection.
 11. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 10, wherein the bottom of each main frame post terminates above the main surface of said support means.
 12. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein each end frame means comprises vertically extending corner posts and structural means interconnecting the corner posts.
 13. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 12, wherein said structural means includes a centrally located vertically extending main frame post and horizontally extending rungs, and wherein each corner post has a common vertically extending discontinuity.
 14. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 13, and a second bridging connection extending parallel to but vertically spaced from the first mentioned connection.
 15. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 14, wherein said discontinuity is located in alignment to the heights of said second bridging connection and the vertical dimension of said discontinuity exceeds the corresponding dimension of said second bridging connection.
 16. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 14, including a pair of shelves hingedly secured to each of said two end frame means and adapted to bear in an upright position against the common end frame means and in a horizontal position one of each said pair of shelves bearing against said first mentioned bridging connection and the other of each said pair of shelves bearing against said second bridging connection, to establish two vertically spaced substantially continuous shelves and wherein the shelves adapted for bearing against said second bridging connection are arranged in said upright position with their bottom ends above said discontinuity.
 17. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 12, wherein the bottom of each corner post terminates above the main surface of said support means.
 18. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 1, and latch means on said frame means for maintaining said shelves in an upright position.
 19. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein the top of the support means for the front and the rear running gear are of substantially the same elevation.
 20. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according to claim 19, wherein the length of the support means of the front and the rear running gear are substantially the same.
 21. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein the length of the support means of the front and the rear running gear are substantially the same.
 22. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according to claim 1, wherein the rotational axis of the hinging pivot is transverse to the length of the cart.
 23. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising: a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, and support means for each thereof; a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the top main surface of each said support means, said network comprising two vertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigid horizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means, said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciably greater than that required to function as a structural support for said network; the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis having a multiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of said bridging connection; a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface of each said support means and said bridging connection; each support means projecting laterally of both sides of the bridging connection whereby when one cart is nested with another cart, the bridging connection of one cart will overlay and be spaced from one support means of the other cart with said support means being positioned between both support means of the other cart; and a shelf hingedly secured to one end frame means and adapted to bear in an upright position against the end frame means and in a horizontal position against said first mentioned bridging connection, the bottom of the shelf being recessed along its longitudinal dimension and in said horizontal position being telescoped over part of said bridging connection.
 24. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising: a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, and support means for each thereof; a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the top main surface of each said support means, said network comprising two vertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigid horizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means, said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciably greater than that required to function as a structural support for said network; the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis having a multiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of said bridging connection; a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface of each said support means and saiD bridging connection; each support means projecting laterally of both sides of the bridging connection whereby when one cart is nested with another cart, the bridging connection of one cart will overlay and be spaced from one support means of the other cart with said support means being positioned between both support means of the other cart; each end frame means comprising vertically extending corner posts each having a common vertical discontinuity, a centrally located vertically extending main frame post and horizontally extending rungs connecting said corner posts and main frame post at each said end.
 25. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, and a shelf hingedly secured to one end frame means and adapted to bear in an upright position against the end frame means and in a horizontal position against said first mentioned bridging connection.
 26. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 25, wherein a shelf is hingedly arranged on each of the two end frame means.
 27. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 26, wherein the two shelves in their horizontal position form a substantially continuous plane.
 28. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 25, wherein the bottom of each shelf is recessed along its longitudinal dimension and in said horizontal position is telescoped over part of said bridging connection.
 29. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, wherein said bridging connection is arranged with its longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the axis of each said running gear and proximate to the center of the latter.
 30. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 29, wherein the transverse distance between said bridging connection and one wheel of said running gear is at least equal to the transverse dimension of said bridging connection.
 31. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, and a second bridging connection extending parallel to but vertically spaced from the first mentioned bridging connection.
 32. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, wherein said second bridging connection is located at substantially the extreme upper end of or above each end frame means.
 33. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, wherein said second bridging connection is located intermediate to the vertical ends of each of the frame means.
 34. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, and a pair of shelves hingedly secured to each of said two frame means and adapted to bear in an upright position against the common end frame means and in a horizontal position one of each said pair of shelves bearing against said first mentioned bridging connection and the other of each said pair of shelves bearing against said second bridging connection, to establish two vertically spaced substantially continuous shelves.
 35. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 34, and latch means on said frame means for maintaining said shelves in an upright position.
 36. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 31, wherein said discontinuity is located substantially in alignment to the heights of said second bridging connection and the vertical dimension of said discontinuity exceeds the corresponding dimension of said second bridging connection.
 37. A self-supporting nesting cart according to claim 24, and a shelf hingedly secured to said corner posts and adapted to bear in an upright position against said corner posts and in a horizontal position against said first bridging connection.
 38. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according to claim 24, wherein the top of the support means for the front and the rear running gear are of substantially the same elevation.
 39. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according to claim 38, wherein the length of the support means of the front and the rear running gear are substantially the same.
 40. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according To claim 24, wherein the length of the support means of the front and the rear running gear are substantially the same.
 41. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart according to claim 24, wherein the rotational axis of the hinging pivot is transverse to the length of the cart.
 42. A self-supporting combination end and side nesting cart, comprising: a front and a longitudinally spaced rear wheel type running gear, and rigid support means for each thereof, the top of said support means for the front and the rear of said running gear being of substantially the same length and elevation; a structural network mounted in vertically spaced relation to the top main surface of each said support means, said network comprising two vertically extending and horizontally spaced end frame means and a rigid horizontally extending connection bridging both of said support means, said bridging connection having a transverse width not appreciably greater than that required to function as a structural support for said network; a spacer engaging and vertically interposed between said main surface of each said support means and said bridging connection; the length of at least one running gear along its wheel axis being a multiple dimension of the corresponding transverse width of said bridging connection; each support means projecting laterally of both sides of the bridging connection whereby when one cart is nested with another cart, the bridging connection of one cart will overlay and be spaced from one support means of the other cart with said support means being positioned between both support means of the other cart; a shelf hingedly secured to one end frame means and adapted to bear in an upright position against the end frame means and in a horizontal position against said bridging connection. 